Stella Novarino
Stella Jean (/ˈstɛləˈʒɒn/;) is an Haitian-Italian designer. Recognized as the first Black Italian designer, Jean lives and works in Rome and is considered to be Giorgio Armani's protégé.[1] Jean's work often merges classical Italian tailoring with African and Caribbean themes and imagery from Haiti, resulting in a cultural fusion of her own identity. In 2019 she was highlighted by the New York Times as the most convincing of all the New Gen designers in Milan.[1]
Early years
Jean was born and raised in Rome to a Haitian mother, Violette Jean, and an Italian father, Marcello Novarino .[2] She studied political science at Sapienza University of Rome, before dropping out to model for Egon von Fürstenberg, fashion designer and ex-husband of Diane von Fürstenberg.[3] It is here where she realized that she would rather make the clothes than wear them.[4]
Career
Jean began receiving attention at Italian Vogue’s "Who Is On Next" contest in 2011 when she won second place.[5] In 2013, Giorgio Armani asked her to showcase her designs in the Armani/Teatro space during Milano Moda Donna[6] for Fashion Week SS14, and collaborated on shoes with Christian Louboutin for her AW14 collection, which featured her first menswear collection. For Jean's spring/summer 2014 collection, she collaborated with the International Trade Centre's Ethical Fashion Initiative. As a result, the printed fabrics for this collection were sustainably sourced, hand-crafted and aimed at helping trade workers in disadvantaged communities in Africa.[2][4] In April 2014 she was selected by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London to exhibit several outfits in its Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014[7] exhibition. Her brand is based in Rome, but it is also stocked in specialty boutiques worldwide such as Matches Fashion, The Corner, Moda Operandi, Farfetch, United Arrows, and Alara Lagos.[3]
Cultural influences
Stella Jean's designs reflect her Creole heritage, and she often works with Haitian and African artisans, incorporating their work into her fashions. Through her use of native craftspeople, she seeks to support struggling countries and communities and preserve their ancestral arts and traditions. She works with industry to generate commercial enterprise and self-sustaining local communities, focusing on women’s empowerment.[8] She began her partnership with Ethical Fashion Initiative in 2013 when she extended her reach into a wider range of ethical produced items like bespoke Bogolan (mud-cloth) from Mali and Jewelry from Haiti.[9] Stella Jean is a self-taught Italian-Haitian designer. Her desire is to make ethically sound clothes by helping the less advantaged women in the world. By doing so she will be able to create bold and colorful clothing inside and out. Her designs have been worn by celebrities like Rihanna and Beyoncé. She uses her mother's maiden name for her brand.[3]
Personal life
Jean is a mother of two, and resides in Rome with her children.
References
- ^ Vanessa Friedman (2019-02-24). "No Sex, No Politics, No Risk". The New York Times. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
- ^ a b "Stella Jean". Vogue UK. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- ^ a b c "Stella Jean | #BoF500". The Business of Fashion. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- ^ a b "Stella Jean An Ethical Journey". Something About Magazine. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- ^ Holgate, Mark. "Big Winner: Angelos Bratis Takes Home the 2011 Italian Vogue
"Who Is On Next" Award". Vogue. Retrieved 2016-03-08. - ^ "A Giant's Helping Hand". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- ^ "Touring Exhibition – The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945 - 2014". www.vam.ac.uk. Victoria and Albert Museum. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- ^ "About Stella Jean". Stella Jean. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- ^ "Ethical Fashion Initiative | Partners | Stella Jean". ITC. Retrieved 2016-03-25.